The Maryland Terrapins’ thrilling season came to an abrupt end Thursday, leaving fans with more questions than answers. Under head coach Kevin Willard, the Terrapins pulled off one of their strongest campaigns in recent memory, flipping a disappointing 2023-24 season into a dominant 24-7 regular-season finish.
But after falling to No. 1 seed Florida in an 87-71 Sweet 16 loss, the postgame focus shifted quickly from the game to Willard’s uncertain future.
Kevin Willard’s Latest Outrageous Quote Indicates Career Doubt
What started as a postgame press conference reflecting on Maryland’s run quickly took a turn when Willard was asked about what comes next. His candid response set off a wave of reaction on social media.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” he admitted.
“I haven’t talked to my agent. I haven’t talked to my wife. I made a promise to this team that I was gonna just focus on this team, and that’s all I’ve done. So, I haven’t talked to anybody.”
Speculation around Willard’s future had been building even before the tournament began.
“One of my biggest concerns in life right now is I don’t know who my next boss will be,” Willard said before the tournament tipped off.
Although the Terrapins were focused on advancing, Willard didn’t enjoy unanimous support from fans. When the team departed its hotel for Chase Center on Thursday, the head coach was met with a mix of cheers and boos.
Nah. If he wanted to come back he would have made that clear this week.
— JBR Bracketology (@JBRBracketology) March 28, 2025
Online reactions were even harsher, with videos showing fans at bars chanting expletives when Willard’s face appeared on TV.
Nobody in College Park wants to talk to him.
— Larry Matarasso (@LarryMatarasso) March 28, 2025
Willard acknowledged the negativity and didn’t hide his frustration.
“I’m kind of pissed, to be honest with you, because I didn’t expect to be in this situation,” he said.
Under Willard, Maryland posted a dramatic turnaround from last season’s 16-win campaign. The emergence of the “Crab Five” lineup helped turn the Terps into one of the Big Ten’s top offensive units—and one of the best in the country.
Their buzzer-beating win to reach the Sweet 16, sealed by Derik Queen, gave fans real belief in a potential deep run. A win over Florida would have sent Maryland to the Elite Eight for the first time since its 2002 national championship season.
Instead, the Gators dominated the second half and ended the Terrapins’ season. Maryland’s No. 4 seed was its highest since 2015, and its 27 wins were the program’s most in a single season since 2015-16, when the team also reached the Sweet 16.
Despite the on-court success, Willard’s status remains the central storyline.
Willard’s Next Move: Stay or Go?
Rumors of a potential move to Villanova continue to swirl. While Willard claimed not to know whether the school had made an offer, he admitted that conversations may have taken place without his knowledge.
“I have no idea if Villanova has made an offer for me,” he said. “My agent may have been talking to people, but I don’t know anything about any possible conversations.”
MORE: Kevin Willard Skips Team Dinner, Enrages Fans
As Maryland fans wait to see if their program is on the brink of another transition, Willard’s next step remains unclear. For now, they’ll have to wait for him to sit down with his agent—and his wife.
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